A WOMAN was rescued with 'just a few minutes to spare' after she got stuck in 'waist-deep' mud on Brean Beach.

Burnham Coastguard were called at 11.43am today (July 29) to Brean Beach to reports of a woman who was stuck in waist-deep mud with the incoming tide starting to surround her.

The Coastguard said the incident was 'time critical' and the Coastguard Operations Centre tasked multiple assets to help including Weston-super-Mare Coastguard, Burnham RNLI and BARB Search and Rescue.

Burnham Coastguard was the first team to arrive at the scene and saw the head and shoulders of a woman sticking up above the water.

"As the truck came to a halt our team immediately sprang into action and in record time five of our team members were in immediate snatch rescue equipment which is overalls, boots, safety hat and personal flotation devices," the Coastguard spokesperson said.

"Two of our team were attached to floating lines which were tended by the others."

But after the two team members entered the water they quickly realised that the woman was stuck in waist-deep mud. 

The duo managed to free one of the woman's legs but struggled to get her other leg out of the mud. 

The rising water levels and waves made the rescue more difficult but the duo worked together to hold the woman up above the water until they freed her leg.

The woman was then taken back to the shore and given a quick medical assessment by the Coastguard before being taken to an ambulance for further assessment.

Nathan Meager, helmsman of D Class lifeboat Burnham Reach, said: "The D class having a lower draft is able to access shallower water.

"On arrival, the obviously tired casualty had been seated up to her neck in water.

"I detailed two crew to assist if required, but coastguard team members managed to lift her from the mud and assisted her out of  the water and back to the beach.”

A spokesperson for Burnham Coastguard thanked the emergency services who helped to rescue the woman and urged people to call the Coastguards immediately in the event of an emergency. 

"The quick actions of all the Coastguard team members meant that she was saved with just a few minutes to spare," the spokesperson said.

"This shows how important it is to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguards immediately.

"Every second truly does count and it could save a life.

"This kind of incident where a life is in imminent danger prompts a large response of assets as each one has it's own skill that may be required.

"It is far better to have them on-scene if needed than not and we are thankful that Burnham has such a rich pool of resources to call upon.

"Thanks to everyone involved in this incident including, Weston-Super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team ,BARB Search & Rescue - Burnham-on-Sea hovercraft, RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and Avon and Somerset Police."

Volunteer Burnham RNLI press officer Mike Lang added: “This was an excellent example of a multi-agency rescue.

"I urge visitors to the seaside to take notice of signs warning of soft sand and mud, plus any other local dangers.

"If you see anyone in danger at the seaside dial 999 and speak to the Coastguard."